Level design. What's so hard about it? (Patreon)

Hey guys, when it comes to play a Metroidvania, you always expect an open world of multiple rooms connected to each other, with a LOT of secret areas to explore. And I love that about Metroidvanias too, It's really hard to design the world, but I'm getting there.

One thing I love is having to go around an area to activate some switch that will open a Door. Traps that give you a hard time moving around.

My main problem comes next, coming up for a room design, to make each one interesting and fun to move around.
Maybe I'm too demanding with myself, I don't know. This is why doing level design takes me a while, I have to design the room, where monsters are going to be, Where to place an area blocked until you have the right object/skill.
This questions pop up in my head all the time:
"Where should I place this unlockable? Is it too soon?"

When it comes to the town (The center of all the game story.) Should I make Garret give you Specific instructions of what you have to do?
Ex: "We need to access the level 2 of the Mines, that way we can start extracting steel to forge better weapons."
Or just leave the exploration free while you discover stuff around? (I like this but it may feel kinda empty in terms of story.)

As always guys, let me know your thoughs of how to improve the game!
Thanks for all the support, I love you!

PS: Expect a new Demo build soon.

AllFenom.